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West Midlands MPs have launched a final appeal to voters to back staying in the EU , in the final Commons debate on the issue before next week’s referendum.

But others said the region, and the country as a whole, would be better off if we vote to quit in the historic referendum on June 23 .

Parliament has broken up to allow politicians to concentrate on campaigning in the run-up to next week’s vote.

But MPs held one final debate - explaining whether they were for or against remaining in the EU.

Adrian Bailey, Labour MP for West Bromwich West in the Black Country, said staying in the EU was the best thing for jobs in the West Midlands.

He warned: “Coming out of the EU defies all the logic of our emerging global economy.”

And said the West Midlands had benefited from investment which came to the region partly because of EU membership.

Below: The EU referendum explained

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“The fact is that investment, particularly by Tata in Jaguar Land Rover, has transformed the manufacturing economy in my constituency and the surrounding constituencies.”

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, said the UK would be safer from its enemies abroad if it stayed in the EU.

He told the House of Commons: “It is in our national security interest to remain in the European Union and, indeed, that it is in the national security interests of the United States and of our allies in Europe.

“At a time when there are many conflicts around the world and when the world is very unstable, with an aggressive Russia and a belligerent North Korea, the very last thing we want is a fragmentation of the European Union, ambiguity in foreign policy or a weakening of the European Union and of the strength we draw from one another.”

But other MPs called on the nation to vote to leave.

Mike Wood, Tory MP for Dudley South, says we should leave the EU

Dudley South MP Mike Wood (Con) said he backed leaving the European Union because the UK would be better off “living under its own laws”.

He said it was uncertain what the future held whether we stayed in or left.

Mr Wood said: “No one - politician, economist or mystic - can be sure what the future has in store, and whether we will remain or leave.

“However, we can be sure that whatever happens, Britain will be better able to respond and adapt as a sovereign country living under its own laws.

“Britain can look forward to a prosperous, more outward-looking future trading and co-operating in Europe and also with countries outside Europe. That is why, like so many of my constituents and so many small businesses, I shall be voting to leave the European Union.”

Watch: Jeremy Clarkson and James May back remaining in the EU

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Lucy Allan, Conservative MP for Telford, said she backed leaving the EU because her constituents were suffering the effects of high levels of immigration.

She said: “Many people in Telford are affected by increasing pressure on public services, by the difficulty of getting a school place and by waiting times to see their GP. The less well-off are the most exposed to the day-to-day reality of our membership of the EU.”

And she told her fellow MPs: “We in this place have said enough. Now it is time for the British people to have a say. They want to be free - free to decide who comes to our country, free to make our own laws and free to trade with the rest of the world.”

And Bill Cash, Conservative MP for Stone in Staffordshire, said: “People fought and died for the right to govern themselves, and everything else depends on that, including the economic arguments. I urge the British people to consider the consequences for future generations if we get this wrong and vote to stay in the European Union. As a result of successive leaderships since 1972, we have given away more and more of our powers to govern ourselves.”